Combined impulse coupling and automatic timing mechanism



A ril 13 1926. 1,580,520

J. L. MILTON coma'msn nmmss COUPLING AND AUTOMATIC TIMING MECHANISM Fil ed June 7, 1921 a Sheets-Sheet 1 W//////////////////////////// llllllfix I v EQ I April '13 192s. [580,520

J. L. MILTON COMBINED IMPULSE COUPLING AND AUTOMATIC TIMING MECHANISM Filed June 7, 1921 s Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Patented Apr. 13, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN LEWIS MILTON, 0F LOIUISVHJIIJE, KENTUCKYZ,

COMBINED IMPULSE COUPLING AND AUTOMATIC TIHING.EECHANISM.

Application filed June 7, 1921. Serial No. 475,839.

State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Combined Impulse Coupling and Automatic Timing Mechanism, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to automotive vehicles and has for its objects to construct into a single unit and to operate with a single drivea combined radiator cooling fan and a complete ignition device, equipped with an automatic impulse starter and automatic timing advance mechanism both of which can function independently of the main shaft which carries the fan blades, rotor et cetera. I

I have sought to reduce-the cost of production, increase the life and efliciency of the class of devices to which my invention relates.

For the purpose of illustration I have selected to illustrate the herein described cooling and ignition apparatus.

The general form and construction of the electric generator which I use in this application is of the well known inductor type.

Figure 1 is a transverse view of the device, partially in cross-section and partially in elevation. Fig. 2'is a cross-sectional view along line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view along line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an end view of the impulse starter and automatic advance mechanism at rest or in starting position. Fig. 5 is an end view of the impulse starter mechanism along line 55 of Fig. 1 with cover plate. Fig. 6 is an end viewof a modified structure of Fig. .4 showing the impulse starter feature eliminated. Fig; 7 is a detailed view of dog 35.

Fig. 8 is a detailed View of arm 30. Fig. 9 is a detailed view of spring 13*. Figs. 10, ,11 show the impulser and advance mechanism of Fig, 4 rotated to a degree just prior to being tripped for impulsing action. Figs. 12, 13 show the same parts of Fig. 4 after being tripped as the recoilis taking place. Figs. 14, 15 show the same parts of Fig. 4

in running position and functioning as a timing device.

1 indicates a base of magnetlc material formed with a mounting flange 1, which is bolted to aprojection C on the cylinder casting C. It will be understood that any other suitable support can be used. This base 1 forms one pole of the generator. The

flange 1 is made at the drive end so as to carry a bearing support 1 for the ball bearing 2 and a final support for the entire device. At the other end of the generator another ball bearing 3 is mounted in an end plate 4. These twobearings carry shaft 5 on which are rotatively mounted a rotor.6

and spiral gear 19 also a radiator cooling fan 8 and itshub 9. On said shaft 5 is also' mounted the combined impulse starter and automatic advance mechanlsm shown in detail in Figs. 4, 5, 6. Said shaft 5 is positively driven througha gear 5 or a sprocket at a fixed ratio to the engines' crank shaft.

10 indicates a housing-structure of nonmagnetic material such as a diecasting, into which are mounted pole pieces 1112, preferably composed oflaminae. The whole structure is secured to thebase 1 in any suitable manner so as to hold the poles in fixed relation as shown.

13 indicates a yoke of magnetic material connecting the like poles of the permanent magnets 1415 which are beveled on ends to correspond with faces presented on pole 1 and yoke 13. The magnets are held in place by arched flat springs 13*, 13. These arched springs are placed between the ends of magnets 14, 15 and top 13 when the latter is assembled, and they exert pressure so as to force the magnets to the positions as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Pole 11 carries a compoundwound high tension coil 16 and pole 12 is an unwound one. Yoke 13 is so formedas to provide a distributor housing, thus eliminating machine work and extraparts. A bushing 17 fits into the housing 10 and provides. a vertical shaft bearing for timer and distributor shaft 18 which is driven at a fixed ratio by gear 19 on shaft 5 and gear 20 on shaft. 18. The details of the timer and distributor are not shown as they can be of conventional design.

The cooling fan 8 and hub 9 are driven from shaft -5 through dog 5 which is fixed to said shaft and torsion spring 21 the two ends, 21 and 21 of which engage the arm 5 of 5 and the pin 9". This feature is embodied to provide a flexible or cushioned drive to the fan. It will be noted that the arm This produces a very eflicient and inexpensive drive for the fan.

Rotor end member 25 is secured to gear 19 and rotor 6 by rivets 6, 6 and the unit thus formed is rotatively mounted on'the shaft 5 and is yieldingly driventhrough torsion springs 26-27, is provided with arms 25, 25 the former having an' opening in it throu h which the end of pawl member 29 extends and so proportioned as to move freely diametrically by its own weight. 25 projects for engagement with theends 26 27 of springs 2627 on one side and top end of arm which is mounted for free'movement on shaft 5. Arm 30 has projections 30 30 for engagement with ends 26, 27 of the torsion springs 26,27. Driving dog is fixed to shaft 5 and drives the rotor unit through springs as mentioned. This dog has a projection 35 with which engages end 27 of spring27, this end alsoextends for engagement with rotor arm 25. Both torsion springs exert pressurebetween their substantially parallel ends and tend to hold the parts in position as shown in Fig. 4.

Pin 28 is fixed in shaft 5 and upon rotation engages cam face 29 of pawl member 29 and moves it out of engagement with stop 36 which is secured to base 1, as shown in Figs. 10 and 11 as about totake place, and releases the rotor unit for rapid movement in the direction of rotation by both springs which have been strained by this movement of shaft 5 and dog 35. This is followed by a recoil which is absorbed byspring 27 alone, as shown in Figs. 12 and 13, (end 27 continues to rest on projection 3O while end 27 contacts arm25 which is forcing the parts to normal, except that pawl member 29, under the influence of centrifugal force prevents contact between 29" and 36, thereby allowing continuous and free rotation, until the speed falls below a predetermined degree.

As the speed increases automatictiming begins through weight W exerting force through links 37, 38 to dog 35 and arm 30 which strains spring 27 by spreading arm 30 from dog 35 as shown in Figs. 14 and 15. The rotor and the ignition timing device, operated therewith, are forced to follow arm 30 by spring 26 which continuously holds arm 27 in contact with arm 30 while the device isfunctioning fortiming. This action results in the angular position of the driven members being relatively advanced to the driving member.

As the impulse mechanism functions, a recoil or impact of the rotor unit is delivered against arm 30 and spring end 27 as exp ained above, the other end 27 of spring 27 engages with lug 35 of dog 35 and thereby effectively absorbs the blow and returns the parts to normal position and prevents damage to the parts. To eliminate undue impedance and to prevent the consequent overrunning during impulsing operations from disturbing the links 37 38 and weight W, an annular slot 37 is provided in link 37 so that pivot 39 can find an uninterrupted path.

The impulse starter mechanism can be used independently of the automatic advance mechanism by removing the links 37, 38, weight W and spring 27. Also, the automatic advance mechanism can be used without the impulse starter feature by eliminating the pawl member 29 or by dispensing with the pawl member 29, spring 26 and attaching the arm 30 to the rotors arm 25 as shown in Fig. 6. It will be noted in this modified structure (Fig. 6) that the top end of arm 30 is placed in slot 25 of arm 25 so that the rotor unit will be forced to follow the movements of arm 30.

Obviously, many changes in the details of construction or proportioning of the parts can be made without departing from the spirit of my invention and I do not limit myself to any particular form or arrangement of the parts.

Whatl claim as new is 1. In a combined impulse starter and automatic timing device for an electric current generator comprising a rotary driven member and a rotary driving member, adapted to have a limited turning movement in relation to the driven member, flexible means for connecting said members and means for straining and releasing said flexible means so as to cause a relatively rapid rate of movement of the driven member for a part of a revolution when operated at low speeds and means for straining said flexible means to arcuately change the relative position of said driven member to the driving member when the device is operated at relatively high speeds.

2. In a combined impulse starter and automatic timing device for an electric current generator comprising a driven member and 7 a driving member, adapted to have a limited turning movement in relation to the driven.

member, flexible means for connecting said members and means for straining and releasing said flexible means so as to cause a rela tively rapid rate of movement of the driven member for a part of a revolution when operated at low speeds and means for strainin said flexible means when operated at re atively high speeds to shift the driven "member about its axis relative to the driving member in a direction corresponding to the direction of the movement of the driving member.

3.- The combination of an electric generator and an impulse starter provided with a rotor loosel mounted on a shaft carried in bearings a jacent its ends and consisting of parts of said impulse starter, flexible means located between said bearings for drivin said rotor by said shaft.

4. T e combination of an electric ignition generator, equipped with an impulse starter, provided with a shaft and a rotor loosely mounted on same, a spring of said impulse starter arranged for causing rota- .tion of said rotor and a pair of lugs for limiting the action of'the spring in both directions. V

5'. In combination with a combined electrical ignition device, of a combined impulser' and a timing device, comprising a rotary driving member and a rotary driven member, adapted to have a limited turning movement in relation to the driving member, a flexible device interposed between said members, means for imparting intermittent mechanical pressure through said flexible device to said driven member when operated at low speed and means for applying continuous pressure through said flexible device to said driven member to change the annular rela tion between said members, when operated at relatively high speed.

6, In combination with a combined electrical ignition device, of a combinedimpulser and timing device, comprising a rotary driving member and a rotary driven member, adapted to have,a limited turning movement in relation to the driving member, a flexible device interposed between said members, means for imparting intermittent accelerated movement through said flexible device in both directions, to said driven member when operated at low speed and means for applying continuous pressure through said flexible device to said driven.

member to change the annular relation between said members when operated at relatively higher speed.

7 In combmatlon wlth a combined electrical ignition device, of a combined im-v pulser and a timing device, comprising a rotary driving member and a rotary driven member, adapted to have a limited turning movement in relation to the drivingmemher, a flexible device interposed between said members, means forimparting intermittent accelerated movement through said flexible device to said driven member when operated I at low speed and means for applying continuous pressure through said flexible device to said driven member when operated at relatively higher speed to vary the timingof the igniting and generating cycle in relation to the driving member.

8. In combination with a combined electrical ignition device, of a combined impulser and a timin device, comprising a rotary driving mem er and a rotary driven member', adapted to have a limited turning movement in relation'to the driving member,-a

flexible device interposed between said memvice to said driven member to effect ignition when operated at low speed and automatic means for applying continuous pressure through said flexible device to said driven member to change the annular relation between said members, when operated at relatively higher speed.

9. In an impulse drive mechanism, the combination of a rotary driven member, a rotary driving member adapted to have a limited turning movement in relation to the driven member, said driven and drivmg members being connected through a spring of said impulse drive mechanism and cooperating means arranged for causing an accelerated rotation of the driven member in relation to the driving member when operated at low speeds, also for causing a rotation of the driven member in. synchronism with the driving member when driven. at a higher constant speed, also for causing continuous rotation of the driven member at arcuately varying positions relative to the -driving member when driven at varying driven member, means for intermittently stopping andtreleasing the driven member, a plurality of springs arranged between the driving and driven members, and abutments cooperatively related to the springs and said driving and driven members in such a manner that when relative rotational movement occurs between the driving and driven members in one direction force is transmitted from one of said members to the other through all of the springs and when such relative movement occurs in the opposite direction force is transmitted from one member to the other through only part of said springs.

11. In an lmpulse drive mechanism, the combination of a rotary driven member, a rotary driving member adapted to have a limited turning movement in relation to the driven member, means for intermittently stopping and releasing the driven member, two springs arranged in operative relation between the driving and driven members and abutments cooperatively related to the spring and said driven members in such manner that when relative rotational movement occurs between the driving and driven members in one direction vforce is transand arranged between the driving and' driven members, and abutments co-operatively related to the springs and said driving and driven members in such manner that when relative rotational movement. oc-

curs between the driving and driven members in one direction force is transmitted from one of said members to .the other through all of the springs and when such relative movement occurs in the opposite direction force is transmitted from one of said members to the other through only part of said springs. v

1.3. In an impulse drivem'echanisr'n, the combination of a rotary driven member, a

rotary driving member adapted to-have a limited turning movement in relation to the dl'lVQIL member, means for intermittently stopping and releasing the driven member,

a plurality of torsion springs disposed between the driving and driven members, and abutments cooperatively' related to .the springs and said driving and driven members in such manner that when relative rotational; movement occurs between the driving and driven members in one direction force is transmitted from one of said members to the other through all of the springs and when such relative movement occurs in the opposite direction force is transmitted ignition from one of said members to the other through only part of said springs;

14. In an impulse drive mechanism for enerators, the combination of a driving s aft,ja driven member, a driving arm fast with the driving shaft engaging an impelling flexible device ,carried on the sha-f a pressure transmitting member loosely journaled on the driving shaft and havmg a radially'projecting arm engagingthe impelling flexible device, locking mechanism constructed and arranged to lock the driven shaft against rotation while the driving shaft is rotating and'therebystress the flexible device, and releasing mechanism for the locking mechanism.

15. In an electric current generator equipped with a shaftless rotor and a driv-' ing device adapted to be interposed betweena driving member and the generator rotor,

an impulse starter adapted to become inoperative above a predetermined angular velocity and spark advancing mechanism responsive to the speed of said driving member.

16. In an electric current generator driving device adapted to be interposed between a driving member and the shaftless generator rotor, spark advancin mechanism re sponsive to the speed of said drivin mem her, and an impulse starter adaptec to become inoperative above a predeterminedrangular velocity interposed between said mechanism and the rotor of the generator.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 1st day of June 1921. I 1 JOHN LEWIS MILTON. 

